Old age
Why does my grandpa have to get old? Can I NOT let this happen? I love this man so dear. I just got an email from my uncle (who lives with him) asking if anyone has crutches. Sammy hurt his knee and got xrays, waiting on results.
My friend has some he can borrow. I’ll see her and my dad Sunday, she can give them to him and he can bring them to Sammy Monday. Don’t know if that’s too late. I could have Roger get them tonight. He borrowed his dad’s rider/snowblower to blow the snow away from the house since the weather should be rising. This helps our basement stay dry. He needs to return it tonight since we traded vehicles with him. I’d like to drive my car to work tomorrow vs Roger’s explorer that sounds like it could blow up. Anywho, our friends live 5 minutes past them. Then I could go to my Grandpa’s after work.
I don’t really write much about my grandpa. Since I have time (crap phone rang, Ok he’s still sleeping). It’s only work calling the house phone, then my cell phone. I know noone is coming in for the afternoon shift. I left her a note saying I’d let her know if I’m coming in.
Every other year (even years) we go to Idaho for a family reunion. The first time it happened was ’88. I was 7. My grandpa had an RV, My brother and I with my cousin, aunt, uncle (sister/brother), and my grandpa. My grandma only went the first year, then she stayed home (yay). It was so much fun roadtripping out West (23 hours). We ALWAYS broke down, which stunk but we did make fun of it. Listening to 8 tracks, playing cards. My parents went to the reunion too but they drove themselves and left later, they drove straight thru. I think they used these couple of days to be kid free themselves.
Every OTHER year (odd years) we would go to the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming. Again same group in the RV. My parents did not do this trip at all until later on. First time I went was when I was 9. Actually at first this trip was every year. On the Idaho year it would be either before or after Idaho. Then that stopped cause that’s too long and the people that work, that’s a lot of time to take off.
My grandpa was a very hands on grandpa. Showed us how to carve a walking stick, tell us stories, jokes sing songs, play the harmonica.
This side of the family is pretty close. There’s 4 kids, 4 grandkids 4 great grandkids. My mom is the only in-law. My aunt had divorced before I was born? We do lots together. Although the sister, and one brother don’t speak to my dad and vice versa. Its ok.
I live about an hour away from my grandpa. I KNOW I should go see him more but I don’t. I know time is ticking. We are all very fortunate that my uncle, his SO, and their friend live with my grandpa. He’s not bad off, but I don’t know if he’d be able to live alone every day. There are times where he’s alone for the weekend or for most of the day. That’s fine. My uncle makes sure he eats a good meal. He’ll make meals for him to warm up when he’s at work. Otherwise he’d probably just eat a piece of toast and say he’s done. He’s funny. When a plate is brought to him, he’ll comment on "wow that’s a lot of food". He’ll eat the whole thing and sometimes take seconds. If by himself a small bite will satisfy him.
Healthwise he’s pretty good. He’s had some episodes with his heart. In the past few years he’s had some sickness that worries me. After the fire in his house, he had pnemonia. Went away, came back. Luckily it went away. Thanksgiving "11 he spent in the hospital for something, I can’t remember. They just had to change his heart meds. Just after New Years, he got shingles. Which is one reason why I haven’t been there. Bruce is not supposed to be exposed to that. Sammy just go the ok to go back to the gym, the shingles should be ok. He was told not to go due to young kids. I’m wondering if he just hurt his knee at the gym and not being there for awhile.
Time is ticking and I know I won’t be able to get this time back, he is 93. I will see him on St. Patty’s Day. I just hope he’s 100% clear of the shingles.
